Edward Rasiulis
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Followers (15)
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Following (2)
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Reviews (900)
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Certified CAPPS Sommelier since 2008. Lived in the Cayman Islands reviewing wines for under $25. Back home in Toronto, started up Twilight Wines to offer wine & spirit consultation, wine reviews, restaurant management, manage wine events and wine & glassware presentations, plus anything else with wines.
For more wine reviews by me please visit my web site at: www.twilightwines.com
Reviews
Dopff & Irion Vorbourg Pinot Gris 2009, Ac Alsace Grand Cru
Alsace, France$17.95
Golden honey in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positives: It's been a long time since I tasted a really good Pinot Gris. This features white birch, honey, apricot, white peach, lychee, sweet potato with butter, cinnamon & nutmeg. Off-dry with medium acidity, fairly long length & the alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: Danger Will Robinson! This wine is so good it's hard not to drink 2 bottles in one sitting, but the real danger is that's its 14.5% alcohol.
Interesting Point: On a blind taste I would have guessed this as a Viognier or Gewürztraminer. Use the Viognier style glass if you have one. Unusual for a Pinot Gris to have 14.5% alcohol.
Drink now or over the next 8-12 years on its own or pair it with a spicy dish.
Tasted: 22 Nov 12
Top Pick & Best Buy
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 10/10, Score: 19.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
3.5 Stars
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Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$30.00
Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
Quality wine that is well balanced at a reasonable price, and a best buy if you can get it at the clearance price.
Positives: This wine features well-integrated oak, mild toast, maple, lemon, peach, pineapple, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: I tried this wine in several different Riedel style Chardonnay glasses and found the larger new world style to be the best.
Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with seared scallops with a hint of nutmeg and cracked pepper over angel hair pasta tossed in olive oil with basil and grape tomatoes.
Tasted: 29 July 2013
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Landmark Overlook Chardonnay 2010, Sonoma County
California, Usa$28.25
Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
A solid Chard with good complexity.
Positives: Lots of tropical fruit that blends well with the integrated oak. In addition, there’s sweet spice, some nuttiness, creaminess and minerality on the finish. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Slight heat from the 14.2% alcohol
Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie Cornish hens.
Tasted: 23 Aug 2013
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+/10) Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Hogue Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Wahluke Slope
Washington, Usa$29.95
Medium garnet in colour and medium+ intense nose.
Positives: A lighter style of Cab showing medium oak, mushrooms, black currants, spinach, leather, pencil shavings, turmeric, sage and an undertone of plums and cherry. Medium body with tight tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A little heat on the finish from the 14.3% alcohol.
Drink now on its own or pair it with Beef Stroganoff with Shitake mushrooms.
Tasted: 23 April 13
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.5 Stars
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Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2010, Ac
Rhône, France$24.95
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a muted nose.
Now this is an easy drinking wine!
Positives: Cedar, cassis, blackberry, plum, thyme, rosemary, white and black peppers and bay leaves. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length. The 14.5% alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: Muted nose
Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.
Tasted: 4 March 2013
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
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Mas Des Restanques Gigondas 2009, Ac
Rhône, France$29.95
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positives: Nice red fruits on the nose & taste with some sandalwood & Macintosh apples.
Negatives: A little austere right now with noticeable heat from the high alcohol. I found it a little watery.
Interesting Notes: Has elegant potential so lay it down for another 5 years. Interesting modern label to try to appease the nouveau wine drinker. Too bad I’m somewhat of a traditionalist.
Tasted: 26 Sept 11.
Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16.5/20.
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3
3.5 Stars
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C.H. Berres ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese 2011, Prädikatswein
Mosel, Germany$22.75
How could you not love Rieslings when there are gems like this out there and this wine will only get better with age
Description: Although this is medium-dry wine (Spätlese) there a nice balance between sweet and dry. The wine shows bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features Ylang Ylang, petrol, peach, apple pie, honey, orange, ginger, pink grapefruit and limestone. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: C.H Berres consistently makes great Rieslings
Drink now or in the next 20 years on its own or and pair it with jerk chicken.
Tasted: 24 July 2014
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
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De Toren Z 2008, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$32.95
Dark ruby in colour with high intensity in the nose.
Positives: There is a lot going on with this wine both on the nose & taste. They are: cedar, plums, raisins, herbaceous notes, carnation on the nose, bramble fruit, dark chocolate, candy apple, vanilla bean, turmeric, leather , pencil shavings, black olives & hickory. This wine is full body with good acidity, medium+ tannins & a long finish.
Negatives: A lot of heat coming from the high alcohol, and a little to herbaceous on the taste.
Interesting Thing: The wine's nose is a lot sweeter than the taste, which is a little austere.
Drink now or cellar for another 5 years. Drink on its own as a meal or pair it with grilled T-bone steak.
Tasted: 30 Nov 11
Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Score: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Walla Walla Valley
Washington, Usa$21.95
A quality cab with some kick to it
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, dark and sour cherries, plums, red currents, thyme, cassis, turmeric, graphite, Allspice, cinnamon, cloves, peppers and leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Same wine sells for $45 at the winery
Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Pan-Roasted Veal Chops with Cabernet Sauce.
Tasted: 27 Nov 2014
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale price 9.5/10), Total: 19+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay 2011, Carneros, Sonoma County
California, Usa$24.95
A delightful, balanced, good quality Carneros Chard for under $25 & under 14% alcohol
Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toast, lemon rind, oak spice, Anjou pear, green apple, peach, clove, nutmeg, pink grapefruit, vanilla bean and a touch of caramel. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Recommended serving temperature is 12-16 C or 54-61 F
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Olive Leaf Pasta with Nutmeg Cream Sauce.
Tasted: 31 March 2015
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5+/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
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